The 10-point code has been drawn up by
Equity
's model committee which is headed by Dunja Knezevic, herself a model. Though the trade union is best known for representing actors and dancers, Knezevic approached it a few years ago after realising that there was no body or union that represented the rights of models or regulated the industry.

The code covers shoots which take place in studios and on location, and states that, amongst other things, models will "get assurances on hours of work, breaks, food, transport, nudity and semi-nudity, temperature, changing rooms and prompt payment."

"Signing up to Equity's Code shows
Vogue
UK's dedication to improving the working conditions of models," says Knezevic. "We hope that other magazines and publishing houses, retailers and designers will also understand the importance of protecting models in the workplace, sign up to the Code and prevent treatment of the kind which would be wholly unacceptable in any other profession!"

Alexandra Shulman, editor of British
Vogue
told the
Evening Standard
: "Our support of the Equity code reinforces our continued commitment to set the benchmark for this important industry issue. We're very pleased that Equity is using its position in such a positive way."